AKParhamI have tried many medications/treatments... Topamax, Lyrica, Famvir, Carbatrol, Carbatrol + Baclofen, and acupuncture. None have worked. I have had PHN in my face for about a year now, and the only thing that sometimes helps is Percocet (makes me very, very ill). Any suggestions? I know I haven't tried tricyclic antidepressants or Neurontin yet.
Postherpetic Neuralgia - Has anyone had success with curing their PHN?
- Posted:
- 8 Nov 2010 by AKParham
- Topics:
- carbatrol, famvir, lyrica, topamax, persisting pain -- shingles, neuralgia, baclofen, postherpetic neuralgia
Details:
Responses (4)
13 Dec 2010
There is no single treatment that relieves postherpetic neuralgia in all people. In many cases, it may take a combination of treatments to reduce the pain.
Antidepressants such as nortriptyline and amitriptyline affect key brain chemicals that play a role in both depression and how your body interprets pain.
Anti-seizure medications also can lessen the pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia. These medications stabilize abnormal electrical activity in your nervous system caused by injured nerves. Doctors may prescribe gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica) or another anticonvulsant to help control burning and pain.
They are worth trying.
All the best.
1 Apr 2011
In my experience, none of the "neurological" drug benefits outweighed their significant side effects. I couldn't recall the breed of my dog when someone asked me when I was on Lyrica. Neurontin is very bad for your dental health care - very bad. And it's not as effective as Lyrica. Many people react badly to Percocet; I would get to a pain management specialist who can try another drug more suitable to you... for instance, many people with chronic PHN use Norco or Vicodin without the stomach trauma caused by Percocet. Everyone is different, but I would suggest trying Vicodin. And hypnotherapy can definitely help as well. Unfortunately, I've come across no "cure" after 8 years with a very severe case around my midsection. Best of luck to you. Get to a Pain Manager... general PCP's are too inundated with misinformation on opiods and tend to promulgate the horror stories of addiction, which are very few cases when compared to those of us who need stronger medications and utilize them properly.
Take care,
Frank
Junielle22 Dec 2011
Hi, AK, You sound frustrated. I have PHN also (12 years) and feel for you, with your pain, your life going haywire, and the way pain patients are often made to feel these days by the very professionals trained to help!
I would recommend using the best sources you have, to get to the best possible pain doc. Incidentally, It is not safe to use acetaminophen (Tylenol) with opiates or alone, due to the liver toxicity. My current PHN treatment includes a treatment with 8% capsaisin patches - takes about 3 hours to prep the area with lidocaine cream, then placing the patches. So far, this treatment has calmed all the nerve endings in my left chest and all around to the thoracic spine. I am still taking the other meds: Oxycontin, sleep meds, Celexa and Neurontin, 100 mg. Benefit expected to last 90 days, after which, an expected treatment at the 3 month time.
After 12 years of persistent pain, level 7-8, disturbed sleep and buckets of misery, I have had RELIEF! Hope is crucial. I believe you will find relief.
Junielle
roxbjane
11 Jan 2012
My Mom's pain management specialist offered treatment with the Capsaicin patches, but had absolutely no feedback from other patients to share with us. She is 87 and was healthy as a horse until shingles at age 85 and has PHN in the right hip for 16 months. Do you base your success mostly on the Capsaicin? Is the treatment painful? Thanks for any advice...
20 days ago
acupuncture has brought great relief. In fact has brought the most relief over time. non-traditional therapies. additional courses of acyclovir due to return of rash has helped. for traditional therapies prescription strength advil can help, as can tramadol however I prefer to avoid tramadol. Good sleep habits. Good nerve support: Hyland's Nerve Tonic (available Rite Aid, CVS, Vitamin Shoppe, etc). Having fun and relaxation is important. Good sleep habits. Light exercise (which can trigger it) can also help but do it in support mode - do not over do. Vitamin support - multi's, B's, C, calcium, iron and supplements (Omega's). Good nutrition. Dehumidifying can help if living in damp climate (I do). Get plenty of rest and take it easy. Also talking with someone who has been through any kind of severe physical pain can help in discharging stress and can learn from them what worked for them.
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Frank,
Your answer really alarms me, particularly how long you have suffered with PHN. I have had it for 2.5 years on left side--from neck, front and back of shoulders, down arm to finger tips. It is actualy getting worse--I've had 3 days in a row at level 8 pain. I've tried lyrica (allergic to it), neurotin, elavil, cymbalta and tramadol. Just recently, 8 sessions of acupuncture. (Oh, and site injection and a nerve block.) A visit to a pain management clinic last week was thoroughly disheartening. Told me to add Vicodin to my routine when needed, and see my PCP for an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication as a supplement. I am not despressed or anxious--I'm in constant pain! Maybe I just need to find a better pain management clinic. Despite how I feel, I can't give up.